The Montreal Canadiens are out of the playoffs. That’s a bummer, as I guess the Bettman conspiracy will last at least one more year. (While it’s hard to believe, the last time a Canadian team won the cup was in 1993, just after Bettman began his reign as commissioner.)
On the plus side, this means the Canucks could be the first Canadian team to win the cup in 20 years.
You may be surprised, however, to hear who I am cheering for in the finals: the New York Rangers. This may sound like sacrilege, as the Rangers not only beat my previous bandwagon team, the Canadiens, but also beat the Canucks in the 1994 finals. (Note: I don’t think you will ever see me cheering for the Boston Bruins.)
However, before the playoffs (after the Canucks were out), I chose three teams. I know three teams is a lot, but these were the three teams I could stomach contending for the Stanley Cup.
My first choice, well ahead of the other two, was the Montreal Canadiens. First off, they were the only Canadian team left, and I think that is enough of a reason to cheer for them (although Toronto and Calgary would be exceptions for me). Not only that, but they are a fun team to watch, and with small players like Brendan Gallagher defying the odds, they went against the grain of what a playoff team is supposed to be.
My second choice would have been equally, if not more shocking: the Chicago Blackhawks. Although they beat the Canucks numerous times in heartbreaking playoff matchups, I always respected them; they played a good game, and unfortunately, they deserved to win.
Alain Vigneault was probably Vancouver’s best coach, and really should have had a cup ring here.
Not only that, but they play a game based heavily on skill. Although they are big and mean, their offensive game is something to watch, something that can’t really be said of the Kings.
Now, that just leaves the New York Rangers. My reason can be summed up in two words: Alain Vigneault.
Although some would rather see him crash and burn, and justify the Canucks firing him, I have always liked him. He was probably Vancouver’s best coach, and really should have had a cup ring here.
That is not to say his firing was unwarranted. I still believe that the Canucks needed a shake-up in coaching at the time, just for a change. But that’s why I am still cheering for him, I think his firing was justified, not because he was a bad coach, but because things were stale.
I certainly would have rather seen Vigneault get his ring in Vancouver, but I will cheer for him to get one on another team (providing that team does not rhyme with “the ruins”). It should also be noted that New York’s crimes against Vancouver were a bit before my time, so I don’t hold that grudge strongly against them.
A smaller factor in my choosing the Rangers is that, in the Western Conference, the Blackhawks and the Kings are almost guaranteed a spot at the conference finals (though hopefully not for long, if you know what I mean). They seem to have a stranglehold on playoff success in the West. However, in the East, there is constant turnaround. It would be nice to see a team that is not a playoff juggernaut win the cup.
And really, who wants to see the Kings win?
